Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Justice, Customs and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to the member for Griffith's promise in 2009 to provide $2.8 million to 'establish a dedicated border protection committee of cabinet. This would drive the government's response to the people-smuggling threat.' Can the Prime Minister explain to the House why one of her first acts as Prime Minister was to eliminate the border protection committee of cabinet?

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Prime Minister has been asked a question. The Prime Minister will now be heard in silence in response.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the shadow minister for his question. I determined that it would be best that these matters were dealt with directly by the National Security Committee of Cabinet and cabinet itself.